!John Jenkins was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Georgia. Jenkins will look to contribute from the nose tackle position for the black and gold after manning the center of the line for the Bulldogs the past two years.
In 2012, Jenkins started all 13 games he appeared in and recorded 50 tackles (22 solo), a sack for a loss of nine yards, two stops for minus 11 yards, one fumble recovery, one pass deflection and 14 quarterback pressures, all while being named the Bulldogs' Defensive Co-MVP and to Phil Steele's All-SEC second team. He was also the recipient of the Jeff and Stacey Rothenberger Family Football Scholarship.
How do you feel two months into your professional career?
"Every day I try to find something to work on so I can improve. I think from a month ago to now I think I'm (progressing) at a positive standpoint."
What's the biggest adjustment to life in the SEC or life in the NFL?
"It's never really an adjustment it's just where you fit and finding your role onto a great team. That's pretty much the biggest adjustment."
Guys talk about the speed of the game. Do you feel like there's been an adjustment or do you feel like the learning curve has been smaller for you? How have you adjusted to the speed of the NFL?
"At the end of the day, it's practice. In practice you're working on technique and when you get into the game, you're in a game. The game speed and practice speed are a little different but you can tell the difference between college and the NFL because these guys are professionals. Every last guy on this field is a professional so you can tell the speed is a little bit different."
What's it like being mentored under coach Bill Johnson? What kind of impact has he had on you so far?
"He's had a great impact on me. He's teaching me and he's not one of those coaches that gets in your face and you're trying to block things out (he says or does). Coach Johnson understands the game. He's teaching me how to be a student and showing me the way to be an effective defensive lineman. It's an honor to be under his wing now."
How's the food in New Orleans compare to the food in Georgia?
"I love the crawfish. I had crawfish when I was in Mississippi so I'm kind of accustomed to it now."
